Any septic experts out there?

Started by cedarglen, February 03, 2006, 11:19:56 PM

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cedarglen

February 03, 2006, 11:19:56 PM
We are rebuilding a house that burnt down. We will be allowed to use the existing septic system if we can get it certified. The contractor who came out to certify it wouldn't do the certification because we don't have water service on the lot. He wanted to run water into the leach line for 45 minutes to verify proper functioning. We'll need to bring in a water truck. How many gallons of water need to be pumped into the leach line to certify it? Is it a trickle or full force flood of water they pump in?



harry51

#1
February 04, 2006, 12:40:27 AM Last Edit: February 04, 2006, 10:05:29 AM by harry51
It's hard to say what kind of test procedure the contractor may have to use to keep the building/health dept. happy, but if he was just going to use a garden hose if water service had been available, the rule of thumb is 5 to 7 gallons per minute, depending on pressure, hose size, etc. So 45 minutes would have put somewhere between 225 and 315 gallons into the system. When the system is working, effluent moves out of the liquid side of the septic tank into the leach field in volume equal to what comes into the "solids" side of the septic tank from the house. So how often and how much effluent hits the leach lines depends on water use in the house. Seems to me they require leach area adequate to absorb around 150 gallons per day per bedroom around here, so the contractor was maybe going to hit the system with about a full day's worth of liquid (for a 2 bdrm house) in 45 minutes, and see if any moisture percolated to the surface, or if it was all successfully absorbed. Seems like a pretty harsh test to me, but it may be prescribed by the powers that be. Might be interesting to ask the building or health dept. if they have a standard test for certification of an existing system, or if it is left up to the certifying contractor, who may also be in the business of selling new septic systems. Kind of a cynical outlook, but.............

A water truck seems like an expensive thing, are there any neighbors close by?
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson

glenn kangiser

#2
February 04, 2006, 12:58:17 AM Last Edit: February 04, 2006, 01:00:31 AM by glenn-k
I don't know how much he is planning on putting in there but you better hope he knows what he is doing -If he puts a bunch in fast and floods the tank the solids may float over the top of the tees and go into the drain field ruining or partially plugging it. I would have him pull the covers off the tank to make sure he doesn't overflow it - he can raise the level a bit then watch it go down.  Ask him what he is going to do and see if it sounds reasonable.
Typical inspection info

Lots more info from above site.
"Always work from the general to the specific." J. Raabe

Glenn's Underground Cabin  http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=151.0

Please put your area in your sig line so we can assist with location specific answers.

glenn kangiser

#3
February 04, 2006, 02:24:44 AM
Nice job, Harry-- you did the math- I think we both agree - doesn't make sense to flood the system.  If the certifiers test is unreasonable and not mandated then it may be time for another tester.  Maybe he has a prescribed test.
"Always work from the general to the specific." J. Raabe

Glenn's Underground Cabin  http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=151.0

Please put your area in your sig line so we can assist with location specific answers.

harry51

#4
February 04, 2006, 10:10:10 AM
Exactly right, Glenn. Whatever is done, it must be done carefully. If the ability of the leach field to soak up liquid MUST be torture-tested, I would like to see the lid pulled off the septic tank and the water introduced directly through the liquid side discharge pipe. That would preclude washing solids downstream from where they belong.
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson

Daddymem

#5
February 04, 2006, 10:29:23 AM Last Edit: February 04, 2006, 10:29:45 AM by Daddymem
While you are in there check for an effluent filter.  If it doesn't have one, plan on getting one installed; money well spent. Zabel is one brand.

Where did the potable water come from for the house that burned down?
Où sont passées toutes nos nuits de rêve?
Aide-moi à les retrouver.
" I'm an engineer Cap'n, not a miracle worker"

http://littlehouseonthesandpit.wordpress.com/

cedarglen

#6
February 06, 2006, 03:34:17 PM
Yes, he wanted to put the hose directly into the outlet on the tank. So you guys agree that the test is a little extreme for a 280 sq ft 1 room cabin septic system. I'll talk to the health dept and see if they have a prescribed test that sould be done. Our water source is via the water company which takes their water from local wells, but none are within 500 yards of us.

Charles

JRR

#7
February 06, 2006, 05:31:36 PM
Before the test, you may want to have the septic tank cleaned.  That would eliminate the solids concern during the test ... and give you a some idea of the previous maintenance of the system... and it would give you a known "starting point" for periodic cleaning.

Okie_Bob

#8
February 07, 2006, 08:02:08 AM
HI all, been away for awhile but, I'm back!
Just hired a plumber to hook up my new place to the old septic tank. I could have done it but, hate working
on septic systems and for $200 the guy agreed to do it all.
After we found the cover for the tank and opened it up, it was full of tree roots. I mean so full one of the helpers stood on it and didn't sink! Now I've owned this place for 7 years and never had the tank pumped and who knows how long before I bought it!
They brought in a pump truck, cut-pulled the root mass out and cleaned up the area for another $150. I thought it was a bargin. So for $350 I have a clean septic tank and the new bldg has a sewer.
We moved in over last weekend and the house movers are due this week to carry away the old cabin!
Hey, it only took me 2 1/2 years!!!
Okie Bob (in Texas)

glenn-k

#9
February 07, 2006, 10:08:28 AM Last Edit: February 07, 2006, 12:17:45 PM by glenn-k
HI BoB!

BoB, Can you write backwards?



Do you have a magic marker, an index card, a hammer and a nail?

Now sit down, write backwards on the card --"Check in with Countryplans Forum.

Now nail it to your forehead.

There ------- now each morning when you go in to brush your teeth and look in the mirror you will remember to check in with us. :)


We missed you, Bob.  Goanna Jonesy has been saving you a big slab of roast Goanna for months.  He just walks around in a daze with the meat on a barbie stick calling your name.  "Okie Bob,  Okie Bob, Here Boy, Where are ya Mate? Crikey, he's been gone a long time --- I'm afraid he's in the bottom of some septic tank with no beans." -- you should hear him ----it's pathetic.

How'd we know what happened to you? --you might have checked that tank yourself and fell in. :-/

Welcome back.

Glenn

JRR

#10
February 07, 2006, 11:52:06 AM
Trees can play havoc on septic tanks and drain fields.  If you can do without the tress, it's best to remove them.  Lawn grasses are the best green cover, I believe .. tho perhaps not Bermuda grasses.

Amanda_931

#11
February 07, 2006, 06:57:52 PM
Bermuda grass, AKA gardner's bane.

Okie_Bob

#12
February 08, 2006, 11:26:18 AM
Ok Glenn, I think I got your point!!! But, dang this message pinned to my forehead hurts! Speaking of Goanna Jones from downunder, I thought I heard him calling but, like my dog, I don't answer unless I want to and the goanna wasn't smoked to my liking.
I've been lurking on the sidelines but, keeping a low profile. And besides, after working on the septic tank, didn't think anyone would want me around too close.
Okie Bob
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